A number of complaints have been made by Royal Welsh Fusiliers soldiers and their families and friends based at Dale Barracks about being refused entry at some city centre establishments.

Chester MP Christine Russell, who has also been approached by soldiers, raised the alleged "discrimination" issue with the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Kevan Jones, in a meeting in Westminster on Tuesday night.

The soldiers arrived at the barracks between July and August and most have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some have allegedly been turned away from pubs and clubs because of their profession.

Greg Stringer, regional defence press officer, said: "We are aware of a couple of cases where soldiers have been turned away from pubs, which we are convinced are isolated.

"We are working with Pub Watch to try to establish why our soldiers have been denied entry.

"The battalion met Pub Watch over the summer before the majority of our soldiers settled into Dale Barracks and the battalion's relations with the pubs and clubs in Chester are very cordial."

Frank Marnell from Pub Watch said city licensees and military personnel had a meeting in August in anticipation of the 1st Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers arriving at Dale Barracks. He was shocked to hear about the allegations.

"Pub Watch, the police and licensees have been in constant talks with the Army," he said.

"There have been no problems of letting soldiers in. We're very proud to have a regiment in the city.

"Our lads are fighting for us in Afghanistan and Iraq and are doing a service for this country. If I thought there was any discrimination against the military I would stand up and be counted.

"A lot of people get refused for a lot of reasons. On the night it depends on how you look, how you act and how you behave.

"A lot of people start their partying at home and they don't realise how much they've already had to drink.

"If there is an official complaint from any member of the Army then I will investigate and Pub Watch would look dimly on anyone refusing the military entry.

"If there is a problem we will sit down around a table and take action."

Mr Marnell says pubs and clubs do not accept military identification
cards as proof of ID.

"We can't accept their ID cards, they already know that. ID has to be a passport, driving licence or hologrammed national ID card," he said.

Dave Cooper, general manager for RB's Nightclub, Northgate Street, dismissed the claims and said door staff at the premises do not discriminate against soldiers.

"Military people do get into RB's," he said. "The sad truth is that when they come into the city centre the minority don't behave in a proper manner. If they are having difficulties in the city centre, then they're bringing it on themselves.

"We will not let people back in our premises if they have caused a problem and there are a couple of people at Dale Barracks who are not allowed back in, not because they are soldiers but because of their actions.

"When people act inappropriately they can expect to be refused entry. We all support the forces, they do a fantastic job."

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